Manop Srirupi (Thai: มานพ ศรีรูปี; born October 22, 1981), known professionally as Lerdsila Muaythai Iyarin (Thai: เลิศศิลา มวยไทย ไอยาริน) is a Thai retired Muay Thai fighter and professional kickboxer. He is a multiple-time Muay Thai world champion (WMC, WBC, WLF, WPMF, WCK) and three-division Rajadamnern Stadium champion.[2]
Biography
He first began training in Muay Thai at the age of 7 under his father’s tutelage and had his first bout that same year. Lerdsila then moved to Bangkok when he was 12 years old to pursue a career in professional Muay Thai, training at Jocky Gym which created many legendary fighters such as Saenchai, Somrak Khamsing, Silapathai, and Rolek Kaennorasing. Lerdsila has competed countless times at the famed Lumpinee and Rajadamnern Stadiums, even claiming the prestigious Rajadamnern Muay Thai World Title in three different weight classes. In 2015, Lerdsila moved to train at Phuket Top Team.
Lerdsila is of Khon Isan descent. Outside of fighting, he enjoys association football, music, and singing karaoke.[3]
Fighting style
Lerdsila developed his style through a long period of training in Jocky Gym, where fighters were trained to be fast, elusive and technical oriented. Lerdsila explained that he likes to mix Muay Thai with techniques he saw in other martial arts such as Taekwondo, Karate and Boxing. Lerdsila doesn't take fights too seriously: he doesn't care about winning or losing, but to have fun during fights by taunting, keep his opponents guessing, making them angry to break their concentration during fights. People call Lerdsila "The Eel on a skateboard" because of how evasive he is; Lerdsila is extremely good at incorporating the Teep and head movements into his defense, especially countering flashy, explosive kicks of his opponents.
“No matter who was kicking, I would always see it coming and just lean back,” - Lerdsila
But, no matter the opponent or where ever he fought, Lerdsila says he went out to fight and enjoy it. After 200 fights, he said the most important thing in the sport is to enjoy what you're doing. Most importantly, Lerdsila says respecting your opponents is the most important thing when Thai boxing, which led to his style of fighting being fun and playful.[4]
Muay Thai career
He fought Wei Ninghui during Kunlun Fight 23.[5] Lerdsila won a unanimous decision.[6]
Lerdsila suffered decision loss to Deng Zeqi during the 2015 Wu Lin Feng & WCK Muaythai: China vs USA event.[7]
Lerdsila fought Tang Yao in January 2016.[8] He won a unanimous decision.
He fought Zheng Kai in June 2017,[9] winning the fight by a unanimous decision.
Lerdsila fought Kang En during the 2017 Hero Legend event. The fight went into an extra fourth round, where Lerdsila won a decision.[10]
In the last ONE event of 2019, Lerdsila faced Elias Mahmoudi at ONE Championship: Mark Of Greatness on December 9, 2019. He would lose by unanimous decision, marking his first loss in ONE Championship.
Post career
Lerdsila has said he never intends to fully leave the sport of Muay Thai said after his pro fighting career is finished, he intends to open his own gym to train the next generation of fighters.[14]
Titles and accomplishments
Muay Thai
Suk Muay Femur
2021 Suk Muay Femur Super Lightweight Champion (140 lbs / 63.5 kg)